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Ghotbi: North Korea Will Be Tough But Iran Can Win
It is do-or-die for Team Melli as they chase a spot at South Africa 2010.
Jun 4, 2009 8:49:17 PM
New Iran coach Afshin Ghotbi is under no illusions as to
the size of the task that his team faces in North Korea on Saturday but believes
that they will come away with three points.
Iran are struggling in their World Cup qualification group with six points from five games.
Defeat in Pyongyang would virtually end their chances of a place in South Africa.
It won’t be easy. North Korea are second and know that three points would be a huge step towards South Africa.
"North Korea showed they can be tough opponents as they have outplayed several teams,” Ghotbi told FIFA.com.
“But we have players of better qualities and I hope we can repeat the victory we made in Pyongyang in qualifying for Germany 2006.”
After the game, Iran must swiftly return home to host UAE on June 10. Then they return to East Asia for a tough match in Seoul against leaders South Korea.
Ghotbi said, "It would be ideal if South Korea will have already qualified when we meet them. But the importance is not about how the opponents play but about how we perform. If we can keep playing well, we can achieve our main goal.
"The Iran team is oozing quality from every pore and we have so many talented players. We have the strengths to play against any team in Asia and win.”
Goal.com
Iran are struggling in their World Cup qualification group with six points from five games.
Defeat in Pyongyang would virtually end their chances of a place in South Africa.
It won’t be easy. North Korea are second and know that three points would be a huge step towards South Africa.
"North Korea showed they can be tough opponents as they have outplayed several teams,” Ghotbi told FIFA.com.
“But we have players of better qualities and I hope we can repeat the victory we made in Pyongyang in qualifying for Germany 2006.”
After the game, Iran must swiftly return home to host UAE on June 10. Then they return to East Asia for a tough match in Seoul against leaders South Korea.
Ghotbi said, "It would be ideal if South Korea will have already qualified when we meet them. But the importance is not about how the opponents play but about how we perform. If we can keep playing well, we can achieve our main goal.
"The Iran team is oozing quality from every pore and we have so many talented players. We have the strengths to play against any team in Asia and win.”
Goal.com
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